U.S. patent application number 11/008493 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for universal slide assembly for molding and casting system.
Invention is credited to Dubay, Richard L..
Application Number | 20050121166 11/008493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34635910 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050121166 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dubay, Richard L. |
June 9, 2005 |
Universal slide assembly for molding and casting system
Abstract
The present invention is a universal slide assembly for molding
or casting systems used to introduce complex designs to moldings
and castings, which is cost effective, easy to install, and easy to
operate, and includes a base, a slide, and a retention means. The
base is directly insertable into a die half for immediate use
without requiring the slide to be individually designed or adapted
to a particular die half. The retention means provides a means for
retaining the slide in a retracted position, preventing the slide
from accidentally moving.
Inventors: |
Dubay, Richard L.; (Rogers,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KINNEY & LANGE, P.A.
THE KINNEY & LANGE BUILDING
312 SOUTH THIRD STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55415-1002
US
|
Family ID: |
34635910 |
Appl. No.: |
11/008493 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60528265 |
Dec 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
164/342 ;
164/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B22D 17/24 20130101;
Y10T 74/1828 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
164/342 ;
164/137 |
International
Class: |
B22D 033/04 |
Claims
1. A slide assembly for use with a molding or casting process
comprising: a base mountable to a die half; a retention pin carried
by the base; and a slide having a retention pin detent, the slide
movable relative to the base, wherein the retention pin detent is
adapted to engage and disengage with the retention pin for
removably retaining the slide in a fixed position with respect to
the base.
2. The slide assembly of claim 1, wherein the base is a channel,
the channel having a track along a side wall of the channel.
3. The slide assembly of claim 2, wherein the retention pin is
carried by the channel at a retention pin hole.
4. The slide assembly of claim 3, wherein the retention pin hole
extends through the side wall of the channel.
5. The slide assembly of claim 4, wherein a portion of the
retention pin is exposed to the slide at the track of the
channel.
6. The slide assembly of claim 5, wherein the retention pin detent
faces the track of the channel.
7. The slide assembly of claim 6, wherein the portion of the
retention pin exposed to the slide is engagable with the retention
pin detent.
8. The slide assembly of claim 1, and further comprising a cam
lever, wherein the cam lever is insertable through the slide, and
wherein the cam lever is capable of moving the slide relative to
the channel through cam action.
9. The slide assembly of claim 8, wherein the cam lever is further
insertable through the channel.
10. A slide assembly for use with a molding or casting process
comprising: a base mountable to a die half; a plurality of
retention pins carried by the base; and a slide movable relative to
the base, the slide comprising a plurality of retention pin
detents, wherein the plurality of retention pin detents are adapted
to engage and disengage with the plurality of retention pins for
removably retaining the slide in a fixed position along the
base.
11. The slide assembly of claim 10, wherein the plurality of
retention pins are carried by the base at retention pin holes.
12. The slide assembly of claim 11, wherein portions of the
retention pins protrude from the retention pin holes and are
exposed to the slide.
13. The slide assembly of claim 12, wherein the portions of the
retention pins protruding from the retention pin holes are
engagable with the retention pin detents of the slide.
14. The slide assembly of claim 10, and further comprising a cam
lever, wherein the cam lever is insertable through the slide, and
wherein the cam lever is capable of moving the slide relative to
the base through cam action.
15. The slide assembly of claim 14, wherein the cam lever is
further insertable through the base.
16. A slide assembly for use with a molding or casting process
comprising: a channel having a first track along a first side wall
of the channel, the first side wall having a retention pin hole; a
retention pin carried in the retention pin hole; and a slide
insertable onto the channel, wherein the slide is movable relative
to the channel, the slide comprising a retention pin detent at a
side of the slide, wherein the retention pin detent is adapted to
engage and disengage with the retention pin for removably retaining
the slide in a fixed position along the channel.
17. The slide assembly of claim 16, wherein a portion of the
retention pin protrudes from the first side wall at the first
track.
18. The slide assembly of claim 17, wherein the portion of the
retention pin protruding from the first side wall is engagable with
the retention pin detent.
19. The slide assembly of claim 19, and further comprising a second
retention pin carried in a second retention pin hole in a second
side wall of the channel, a portion of the second retention pin
protruding from the second side wall at a second track of the
channel and engaging a second retention pin detent of the
slide.
20. A slide assembly for use with a molding or casting process
comprising: a base having a wall, the wall having a retention pin
hole; a retention pin carried in the retention pin hole of the wall
of the base; and a slide movable relative to the base, the slide
comprising a retention pin detent at a side of the slide, wherein
the retention pin detent is adapted to engage and disengage with
the retention pin for removably retaining the slide in a fixed
position along the base.
21. A slide assembly for use with a molding or casting process
comprising: a channel having a track along a side wall, the side
wall having a retention pin hole; a retention pin carried by the
retention pin hole; and a slide having a retention pin detent on a
rail of the slide, the slide movable relative to the base, wherein
the retention pin detent is adapted to engage and disengage with
the retention pin for removably retaining the slide in a fixed
position with respect to the channel.
22. The slide assembly of claim 21, wherein the rail of the slide
engages the track of the channel.
23. The slide assembly of claim 22, wherein a portion of the
retention pin is exposed to the rail of the slide at the track of
the channel.
24. The slide assembly of claim 23, wherein the portion of the
retention pin exposed to the slide is engagable with the retention
pin detent.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is related to and a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/646,094, filed on Aug. 22,
2003, which is based upon U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/413,992, filed on Sep. 26, 2002, both entitled "Universal Slide
Assembly for Molding and Casting Systems", and U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/528,265 filed on Dec. 9, 2003, entitled
"Universal Slide Assembly for Molding and Casting Systems", which
are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to injection molding and die
casting processes. In particular, the present invention relates to
injection molding and die casting slide systems.
[0003] Injection molding and die casting are manufacturing
processes for producing a multitude of shapes and designs for
plastic and metal products. Such processes generally incorporate
two-component systems. The two components are the fixed-die half
and the movable-die half. The fixed-die half is secured to the
apparatus and contains a portion of a cavity or core where plastic
or molten metal is injected into for curing or solidification.
[0004] In contrast, the movable-die half is capable of moving and
contains the other portion of the core where plastic or molten
metal is injected into for curing or solidification. During a
molding or casting cycle, the movable-die half moves towards and
clamps to the fixed-die half so that the core is completely
enclosed by the two halves. Once the core is sealed, the plastic or
molten metal is injected to cure or solidify. After the cycle is
completed, the movable-die half retracts away from the fixed-die
half, allowing removal of the molding or casting.
[0005] Such two-component systems may also incorporate slides
mounted to the movable-die half to create key aspects of the
moldings or castings that the movable-die half and the fixed-die
half are incapable of producing. For example, a slide may contain a
pin that extends into the core when the slide is positioned at the
core. When the injected material cures or solidifies, the slide
retracts, pulling the pin out of the molding or casting. This
results in a hole within the molding or casting.
[0006] For more complex moldings and castings, multiple slides can
be incorporated. The slides are positioned around a central core of
the movable-die half. When a molding or casting cycle begins, the
slides move forward and create a perimeter around the core. The
movable-die half also moves towards and clamps to the fixed-die
half so that the core is completely enclosed by the two halves and
the slides. Once the core is sealed, the plastic or molten metal is
injected to cure or solidify. After the cycle is completed, the
movable-die half and the slides retract away from the core,
allowing removal of the molding or casting.
[0007] Currently in the industry, slides for an injection molding
or die casting apparatus have to be individually tailored to the
fixed-die half or movable-die half where the slide is mounted. The
pertinent fixed-die half or movable-die half contains tracks that a
particular slide must fit into. Such individualization of slides is
expensive and time-consuming. This can be especially troublesome if
a particular slide is defective or damaged during molding or
casting cycles. Another identical slide must be obtained and
installed before the process can continue. In addition, slides must
be carefully installed into the tracks of the pertinent fixed-die
halves or movable-die halves in order to ensure proper alignment
when positioned at the core. This is also very time consuming and
tedious, taking up time that could otherwise be used for operating
the system. As such, there remains a need in the industry for a
slide system that is easy to install and replace, while also being
accurate and reliable in use with molding or casting cycles.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is a universal slide assembly for a
molding or casting system used to introduce complex designs to
moldings and castings. The present invention comprises a base, a
slide insertable into the base such that the slide is movable
relative to the base, and a pair of retention pins for retaining
the slide in a retracted position. The base is insertable into a
die half for immediate use without requiring the slide to be
individually designed or adapted to a particular die half. The
retention pins engage the slide to retain the slide in a retracted
position when the die halves are open, and disengage from the slide
when the die halves close to allow the slide to move forward
towards a mold core.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the universal
slide assembly of the present invention positioned above a die
half.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the universal
slide assembly of the present invention mounted to a die half.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the universal slide assembly
of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the universal slide assembly
of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a base of the universal
slide assembly of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the base of the
universal slide assembly of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a slide of the universal
slide assembly of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the slide of the
universal slide assembly of the present invention along line 6b-6b
of FIG. 6A.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a top view of the universal slide assembly of the
present invention in a retracted position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of universal slide
assembly 10 and movable-die half D of a die block, illustrating the
ease of use and installation of universal slide assembly 10. FIG. 1
is an exploded view that illustrates universal slide assembly 10
positioned above die half D. FIG. 2 illustrates universal slide
assembly 10 mounted to die half D ready for use with an injection
molding or a die casting process. Universal slide assembly 10 is a
universal design that includes base 12, slide 14, cam lever 16, and
pin 18. Die half D in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a movable-die half and
includes core C and mounting detent M. Core C is a portion of the
cavity or core in die half D where plastic or molten metal is
injected for curing or solidification.
[0019] In addition to the components illustrated, FIGS. 1 and 2
also incorporate a fixed-die half (not shown), to which die half D
is clamped, enclosing core C to create the complete molding or
casting core. Alternatively, die half D may be a fixed-die half, in
which case a movable-die half would clamp to die half D, enclosing
core C to create the complete molding or casting core. As such,
references to a movable-die half are only intended to be
illustrative, and universal slide assembly 10 of the present
invention is capable of being mounted to either a movable-die half
or a fixed-die half.
[0020] Mounting detent M is an opening in die half D to core C and
is where base 12 securely mounts to die half D, rendering base 12
immobile. In use, slide 14 inserts into base 12 so that slide 14 is
mobile along base 12 for sliding towards, and retracting away from,
core C. Herein, general references to slide 14 moving forward to a
forward position relate to slide 14 sliding relative to base 12 in
a direction towards core C of die half D. Correspondingly, general
references to slide 14 retracting to a retracted position relate to
slide 14 sliding relative to base 12 in a direction away from core
C of die half D.
[0021] Once slide 14 is inserted into base 12, cam lever 16 is
insertable from above through slide 14 and into base 12. As cam
lever 16 is inserted through slide 14 and into base 12, slide 14 is
forced to the forward position adjacent core C. When cam lever 16
is fully inserted though slide 14 and in base 12, slide 14 is
securely locked with base 12 by cam lever 16, preventing slide 14
from retracting away from core C during a molding or casting
cycle.
[0022] Pin 18 is connected to a front end of slide 14 and extends
into core C when slide 14 is in the forward position. After the
molding or casting process is completed, slide 14 retracts and pin
18 is pulled completely out of the solidified molding or casting,
resulting in a hole within the molding or casting. Slide 14 may
alternatively contain other conventional instruments and designs,
as is known in the art.
[0023] The use of base 12 precludes the need to individually design
or adapt slide 14 to be compatible with die half D. Slide 14 is
completely entrained within and mobile with respect to base 12,
allowing universal slide assembly 10 to be installed into many
different movable-die halves without requiring slide 14 to be
individually designed or adapted to a particular mounting detent M.
As such, universal slide assembly 10 may be installed, exchanged,
and replaced with minimal time and expense.
[0024] To better illustrate universal slide assembly 10 of the
present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of universal slide
assembly 10 in the forward position with cam lever 16 fully
inserted through slide 14 and base 12. Universal slide assembly 10
has a front end 20 and a rear end 22 and generally comprises base
12, slide 14 mounted in base 12, cam lever 16, and face plate 24 at
front end 20. Slide 14 is moveable along base 12 between front end
20 and rear end 22 of universal slide assembly 10.
[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of universal slide assembly 10.
Universal slide assembly 10 generally comprises base 12, retention
pins 26, retention pin holes 28, tracks 30, screw 32, slide 14,
rails 34, retention pin detents 36, detent 38, cam lever 16, face
plate 24, and face plate bolt 40. Base 12 comprises retention pins
26, retention pin holes 28 for housing retention pins 26, tracks
30, and screw 32 for mounting base 24 to mounting detent M of die
half D (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). Retention pins 26 are mounted to
base 12 at rear end 22 of universal slide assembly 10 in retention
pin holes 28 and retain slide 14 in the retracted position so that
the plastic or metal mold can be removed from core C (shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2) without interference from face plate 24. Once the
mold is removed from core C, retention pins 26 are disengaged from
slide 14 and die half D closes.
[0026] Tracks 30 run laterally along internal side walls of base 12
and allow slide 14 to glide along base 12 between the forward and
retracted positions. A portion of retention pin holes 28 intersect
with track 30, exposing a portion of retention pins 26 to slide 14.
This allows retention pins 26 to contact slide 14 at tracks 30 such
that when slide 14 retracts to a certain position along base 12,
retention pins 26 engage retention pin detents 26 of slide 14 and
retain slide 14 in the retracted position.
[0027] Base 12 is mountable to a movable-die half of an injection
molding or die casting apparatus, such as die half D, and is bolted
into place at mounting detent M with screw 32.
[0028] Slide 14 comprises rails 34 for engaging tracks 30 of base
12, retention pin detents 36 for engaging retention pins 26, and
detent 38 for accepting cam lever 16. Rails 34 of slide 14 are
located at lateral edges of slide 14 and are dimensioned to slide
along tracks 30 as slide 14 moves along base 12 between the forward
and retracted positions. Rails 34 comprise retention pin detents 36
that are engagable with retention pins 26 to hold slide 14 in place
when slide 14 is in the retracted position.
[0029] As can be seen in FIG. 4, slide 14 includes detent 38 (shown
in more detail in FIG. 6B) passing through slide 14. Cam lever 16
is insertable into and removable from slide 14 at detent 38. Detent
38 is dimensioned to allow only a portion of cam lever 16 to pass
through slide 14 and into base 14.
[0030] Cam lever 16 includes a head portion 42 and a tail portion
44. Tail portion 44 of cam lever 16 extends from head portion 42 at
an angle. This orientation of tail portion 44 relative to head
portion 42 allows cam lever 16 to provide a cam action to move
slide 14 along base 12. When universal slide assembly 10 is
installed into an injection molding or die casting apparatus, cam
lever 16 is directly attached to a fixed-die half of the apparatus
(not shown) at head 42. Thus, when the movable-die half is
separated from the fixed-die half, cam lever 16 is pulled out of
base 12 and slide 14.
[0031] Face plate 24 is attached to slide 14 at front end 20 by
face plate bolt 40 and is exposed to molding core C when universal
slide assembly 10 is in the forward position. Face plate 24 may
contain mold patterns or instruments that affect the shaping of the
molds, such as pin 18, described in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0032] In operation, as cam lever 16 is inserted into slide 14 and
base 12, the mold halves close for a mold or casting cycle. The
angle of tail portion 44 of cam lever 16 mechanically forces slide
14 to move forward along base 12. Rails 34 move slide 14 along
track 30 towards core C. This may be accomplished in a variety of
manners, such as by cam action of cam lever 16 or by hydraulic
power. With universal slide assembly 10, slide 14 may solely be
operated by the mechanical cam action of cam lever 16. The force
applied to slide 14 forces retention pin detents 36 of slide 14 to
disengage from retention pins 26, allowing slide 14 to move forward
along base 12 towards core C. When universal slide assembly 10 and
face plate 24 are in the forward position, plastic or metal is
injected into core C of die half D. After the injected material has
cured or solidified, slide 14 retracts; pulling face plate 24 away
from the molding or casting. This results in a design within the
molding or casting. Because face plate 24 is attached to front end
20 of slide 14, as slide 14 retracts along base 12, face plate 24
pulls away from molding core C, allowing the mold to be
released.
[0033] As cam lever 16 is pulled from base 12 and slide 14, the
angle of tail portion 44 of cam lever 16 mechanically forces slide
14 to retract along base 12. Rails 34 move slide 14 along track 30
away from core C until retention pin detents 36 engage the portion
of retention pins 26 that are exposed to slide 14. This preferably
prevents further retraction of slide 14 along base 12, and also
prevents slide 14 from accidentally moving towards core C while the
mold halves are open. As such, retention pins 26 are capable of
engaging and disengaging retention pin detents 36. The use of
retention pins 26 and retention pins detents 36 increase safety
measures in the molding or casting system by providing additional
means of retaining slide 14.
[0034] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of base 12 of universal slide
assembly 10 showing mounting hole 46, threaded jack holes 48, and
tail detent 50. As mentioned in FIG. 4, base 12 is mountable to die
half D at mounting detent M (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) by inserting
screw 32 through mounting hole 46 in base 12. As an alternative
means for mounting base 12 to mounting detent M, threaded jack
holes 48 are located at each end of base 12. Screws may be inserted
through die half D and into threaded jack holes 48 from beneath
base 12 to mount base 12 to die half D. As such, base 12 may be
mounted to die half D by screw 32 inserted through mounting hole 46
from above base 12, and/or by screws inserted through threaded jack
holes 48 from beneath base 12. While FIG. 5A shows two threaded
jack holes 48, the present invention is not intended to be limited
to a set number of threaded jack holes 48. Additionally, when not
used as mounting means, threaded jack holes 48 may be used to
assist the removal of base 12 from mounting detent M by inserting
tools into threaded jack holes 48 and grasping hold of base 12 to
remove base 12 from mounting detent M.
[0035] After tail portion 44 of cam lever 16 (shown in FIG. 4) is
passed through detent 38 of slide 14, tail portion 44 is inserted
into tail detent 50 of base 12. When cam lever 16 is fully inserted
through slide 14 and into base 12, tail portion 44 mechanically
locks slide 14 to base 12. This prevents slide 14 from retracting
relative to core C (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and opening molding
core C while an injection molding or die casting product is being
created. In one embodiment, tail portion 44 passes fully through
base 12 at tail detent 50 and into mounting detent M, locking slide
14 and base 12 to mounting detent M.
[0036] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of base 12 of universal
slide assembly 10 along line 5b-5b in FIG. 5A. In one embodiment,
base 12 is U-shaped, comprising first side wall 52, second side
wall 54, and base plate 56. First and second side walls 52 and 54
are located at opposing sides of base plate 56 and are oriented
normally to base plate 56 such that they face one another and are
substantially parallel. Retention pinholes 28 are located in first
and second side walls 52 and 54 of base 12.
[0037] Retention pin holes 28 in first and second side walls 52 and
54 have a depth and diameter sufficient to securely maintain
retention pins 26. In one embodiment, retention pin holes 28 are
0.125 inches in diameter and 0.625 inches in height and extend from
base plate 56 into side walls 52 and 54. Retention pins 26 are
sized such that retention pins 26 are frictionally held in
retention pin holes 28, as shown in FIG. 5B. In one embodiment,
retention pins 26 are 0.125 inches in diameter and 0.625 inches in
height. In use, retention pins 26 are engagable with slide 14
(shown in FIG. 4) at retention pin detents 36 to retain slide 14 in
a retracted position.
[0038] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional
view of slide 14, respectively, and will be discussed in
conjunction with one another. Slide 14 generally comprises rails
34, retention pin detents 36, and detent 38. Rails 34 of slide 14
move slide 14 along tracks 30 of base 12 as cam lever 16 (shown in
FIG. 4) is lowered into, and pulled from, detent 38 of slide 14. As
illustrated in FIG. 6B, detent 38 is channeled at an angle through
slide 14. This angle corresponds to the angle of tail portion 44 of
cam lever 16. When cam lever 16 is lowered into detent 38, tail
portion 44 mechanically forces slide 14 to move forward along
tracks 30 of base 12 towards core C of die half D (shown in FIGS. 1
and 2). Correspondingly, when cam lever 16 is pulled from detent
38, tail portion 44 mechanically forces slide 14 to retract along
tracks 30 of base 12. This retractive movement pulls slide 14 away
from core C of die half D.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a top view of universal slide assembly 10 in the
retracted position. Base 12 comprises retention pins 26 and
retention pin holes 28 and slide 14 comprises rail 34 and retention
pin detents 36. When universal slide assembly 10 is in the fully
retracted position, retention pins 26 engage retention pin detents
36 and retain slide 14 in base 12 in the retracted position. When
enough force is applied to slide 14, either by cam action or
hydraulic power, the force overcomes the tension between retention
pins 26 and retention pin detents 36, allowing slide 14 to move
forward along base 12. In one embodiment, retention pin detents 36
are 0.02 inches in depth.
[0040] The universal slide assembly of the present invention
provides a versatile cam system for molding and casting processes.
The universal slide assembly incorporates a cam lever to move a
slide relative to a base. The universal slide assembly may also
utilize a hydraulic system to move the slide relative to the base.
This makes the universal slide assembly a diverse design.
Additionally, through the use of retention pins, the slide is
capable of being retained in a retracted position until the die
mold closes. The universal slide assembly can be installed without
requiring the slide to be individually designed or adapted to a
particular movable-die half. Therefore, the universal slide
assembly of the present invention is a versatile design that is
cost effective, easy to install, and easy to operate with injection
molding or die casting processes.
[0041] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *